SET THOSE BOUNDARIES | YOU'VE EARNED IT!

Ever felt like you're hosting a secret party for emotional and energy vampires without even sending out invites? They might be draining the life out of you without you even realizing it!

- "Your body has a sixth sense and it's usually right. So, don't ignore it when it's trying to radio signals to you! SOS!"

Ever felt like you've been attacked by those energy-sucking vampires? Oh, they are the worst! They drain you dry faster than a thirsty camel in the desert! So, what's the deal with these emotional vampires, you wonder? Picture this: they are like drama queens on steroids, always craving the spotlight and trying to control every scene like a director gone mad. What starts as a friendly chat can quickly spiral into a never-ending sob fest because they are more interested in collecting sympathy points than actually fixing anything. At first, it's all rainbows and unicorns, but before you know it, their constant negativity seeps into your soul, and suddenly you're starring in your very own soap opera with the drama llama stealing the show!

Back in the days, I might have been living in La-La Land or simply too busy devouring snacks to notice, who knows! But now that I'm almost hitting the big 4-0, my spidey senses are on fire!!! Thanks to the pandemic slamming the brakes on my life, I've upgraded to version 2.0 of awareness. Yep, I can spot those emotional and energy vampires lurking in the shadows - they're like the real-life vampires, but without the fangs! So, here are some ninja moves I've picked up to dodge negativity and keep my energy levels from turning into an all-you-can-eat buffet.

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LISTEN TO YOUR GUT!

Your body is like a secret agent with a sixth sense, and it's usually spot on! So, when it starts sending you those cryptic radio signals, don't brush them off! SOS! Picture this: your vampire friend hits you up for a Friday night wine extravaganza, but you just know you'll end up as their emotional dumping ground. Don't freak out just yet. Remember, you can't control other people's wacky antics (wouldn't that be a hoot), but you sure can choose who you allow to mess with your zen vibes. Let that marinate for a sec. We're all guilty of being too polite and missing the red flags our bodies are waving at us. Your body's got your back, so give it a listen!

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BE STRAIGHTFORWARD

Listen up, folks! We all have our own little bag of problems. Yes, even you, the one reading this with a smug smile. If you claim otherwise, well, congratulations, you might just be the luckiest person alive! Quick, go grab a lottery ticket! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm here for you, ready to lend an ear and some support. But hey, remember, there's a fine line between being a shoulder to cry on and becoming a full-time therapist!

So, let me tell you about this friend of mine. She's got these incredible kids, a job that's more meaningful than a cat video going viral, and a bank account cosier than a bear in hibernation. Her house is so beautiful, even the walls are jealous. You know that saying, "trapped in a gilded cage"? That's her life in a nutshell. I adore her, but let me tell you, she's like a black hole for happiness. Step into a room with her and watch all the sunshine in your life disappear faster than a donut at a cop convention. She's like a vacuum, but instead of cleaning up dust, she sucks up all the good vibes.

Once upon a time, we were shooting the breeze and catching up; it felt like ages since we last did that. It was all warm and fuzzy until my body decided to join the party, but not in a cool way. She, bless her soul, was carrying the weight of the universe on her teeny-tiny shoulders. I played the role of the good listener as she transferred some of that weight onto me, and by the time she was done, I swear I could feel my pockets dragging on the floor. I silently vowed to myself that I wouldn't let that happen again. In hindsight, I should have hit the brakes when I started feeling like a walking burden, but nope, I was too busy being the supportive friend.

So, there I was, trying to muster up the courage to tell her that sometimes she's like a tornado of emotions and I'm just a little house trying not to get blown away. I mean, her texts and calls were like a never-ending rollercoaster ride that I just couldn't keep up with, and it was turning our friendship into a hot mess. And let me tell you, when I finally spilled the beans, she didn't exactly do a happy dance. But hey, I had to remind her how awesome our friendship is and how I'm willing to put in the work to keep it afloat. It took me a while to psych myself up for that chat, but I wanted to make sure we were both in a zen state, you know, emotionally speaking.

So, get this - I actually survived that awkward chat with my friend! Sure, it created a tiny crack in our friendship that we never quite managed to fix. Talk about a mixed bag of emotions! But hey, I totally owned the situation in the end. We tend to overlook our own boss-like abilities to take charge.

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PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN!

Hey, listen up! It absolutely does NOT make you a villain to stand up for yourself and your inner zen. It just shows that you care enough about yourself to say "No more!" to toxic and icky situations. Don't be afraid to set boundaries and put a stop to being taken advantage of; it's totally fine to shout "Basta!" when you feel that emotional yo-yo tugging at your heartstrings. Standing your ground will help you reduce the impact of their negativity on you; some of us have even ended up as an accidental extra in their drama just because we didn't act sooner.

"Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept." – Anna Taylor

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THE WARNING SIGNS

So, I used to be completely clueless about how to identify those sneaky emotional or energy vampires lurking around until I made a conscious effort to pay attention. Can you believe it? Like, who knew they weren't just regular vampires with capes and fangs, right?

Oh boy, they are practically swimming in a sea of drama drama drama!!!

Oh, the drama queens and kings of the emotional and energy vampire world! They're like the main characters in their own soap opera, where every day is a battle and every story is told with a flair for the dramatic. *insert applause here* Deep down, what they really want isn't solutions, it's just a big ol' dose of attention and emotional validation. Attention-starved much? 🌟

ALWAYS PLAYING THE VICTIM

Woe is me. The world is against me. It's a conspiracy and nothing is ever their fault. It's this exact thing that drives their friends and acquaintances away from them. For example, they could be called out for their behavior; instead, they prefer to think everyone's an a**hole, idiot, stupid, mean, ignorant, you name it. It's no wonder they have it "so hard", their attitude and the air they bring with them sucks.

GASLIGHTING

Ever been in a situation where someone tries to make you doubt your own sanity without even breaking a sweat? That’s gaslighting for you! It's like a sneaky ninja messing with your mind, making you question everything you thought you knew. It's like a twisted magic trick that leaves you feeling like a confused bunny in a hat. These emotional vampires just love to play mind games, leaving you feeling like a deflated balloon in a world that suddenly seems upside down. Sneaky, huh?

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WALK AWAY?

Hey there, buddy! Buckle up for this one! So, picture this: you're hanging out with a vampire, right? And after that encounter, you're not just tired, you're like "I need a nap, a hug, and a vacation" kind of tired. Well, that's your body screaming, "Warning, energy vampire alert!" Don't ignore those signals, my friend. I've had my fair share of energy-sucking encounters, but hey, live and learn, right?

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LAST THOUGHTS

Listen up, folks! Not every emotional and energy vampire out there is out to get you on purpose - some are just insecure little critters. But hey, that doesn't mean we're giving them a free pass! You can still sprinkle some compassion on them while making it crystal clear where your boundaries lie. Remember, don't let your soft heart turn those boundaries into mush. Be nice to yourself and make sure your mental health is the VIP here.

~mahsi!